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Marienplatz is the heart of Munich. Description, history and photos

Marienplatz is the heart of Munich. Description, history and photos

08.02.2023

Marienplatz is the main square in Munich. Let's walk through this wonderful square. Here, on the central square of the big city, the capital of Bavaria, the market was in full swing for many centuries, the main events of Munich were held: jousting tournaments, city holidays. Nowadays, football fans of the Bayern club, carnival processions and demonstrations for or against something are noisy on the square. On Christmas days, you can hear the noise of the market from here. Students make appointments here, veterans meet to discuss their problems. Passers-by are relaxing in the cafe, sitting at the tables placed right on the flagstones of the square, music is playing. And on New Year's Eve, crowds of joyful residents and their excited guests, accompanied by the loud bass ringing of the big Frauenkirche bells, run amok in the square, launching thundering fireworks.

Memories of old soldiers
Easter souvenirs
“Deutsche Soldaten und die Ofizieren…”, mountain shooters blow into the chimneys from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, familiar to us.
“Ha-va-nagila, ha-v-v-a nagila!” - three musicians perched on the corner of the square
Beethoven's piano sonatas
Strong seasoned men with a military bearing discuss the problems of veterans
Cafe on the square
New Year's Eve Rush

In the place where this square lies, at the crossroads of busy roads along which salt and grain were carried for sale, a large market arose in ancient times. When houses began to be built around and the city began to grow, this place was called: Schrannenplatz.

Centuries passed, a city grew up around the market.

In the 17th century, the skating rink of the Thirty Years' War swept across Central Europe. The main striking force of the Anti-Habsburg coalition was the army of the Swedish king, the most powerful at that time. But the fact is that the European armies were then organized on a mercenary basis. The kings spent money, hired soldiers to take away land, to solve their political problems. The money had to be returned. And the mercenary soldiers robbed and killed everyone without understanding. The population of Germany was sharply reduced, the economy was destroyed. But the Bavarians managed to keep their lands from complete plunder, despite the three-year Swedish occupation. They decided that they could not have done it if not for the help and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Immediately after the occupation, in 1638, a column was erected in her honor. A column 11 meters high, mounted on a marble pedestal, carries the figure of the Virgin Mary, standing on a crescent moon with a scepter and an orb in her hands, into the sky (master Hubert Gerhardt). At the foot of the column there is a fierce struggle of four warrior angels with the horrors that war brings: famine-dragon, ruin-lion, unbelief-snake, plague-basilisk. Allegorical sculptures were made by the master Hans Reichle. On the pedestal of the column there is an inscription in Latin: “Holy Mary, accept your Bavaria, its goodness, its ruler, government, land and faith.”

In 1854 the square was officially renamed Marienplatz.

In the center of the square there is a column of the Holy Virgin Mary

The space of the square is limited by remarkable buildings of historical and architectural interest.

The largest and most noticeable of them is the New Town Hall, a huge neo-Gothic building in which the Oberburgomaster of Munich works, the City Council meets, and the city government works.

Monks Munchner Kindl ("Child of Munich") from the height of the spire of the New Town Hall enthusiastically looks at the square and blesses the city

At the very top of the 85-meter spire of the New Town Hall tower, there is a little nun Munchner Kindl (“Child of Munich”), and with naive childish delight, he examines the magnificent picture spread below. In his left hand he holds a gospel (some say the City Charter), while his right hand is folded for blessing.

After walking and going to the neighboring shops, we will go to rest. You can go down to the metro or S-bann here on the square. A special elevator is installed on the corner, near a large store.

Elevator U-bann, S-bann

And the darkness and silence will fall on the square.

Marienplatz at night

Marienplatz is one of the most famous sights of the city of Munich, it is also its historical center. This square almost always serves as the start of all city tours. Every year, crowds of city guests and tourists who come to Germany gather here.

History of occurrence

Ever since the city of Munich was founded by Duke Heinrich the Lion, Marienplatz has been considered the heart of the city. This square was located at the intersection of streets such as Salt Street and shopping street, which came from the southern part of the city and passed through the Sendlinger Gate. In the place where these two large streets intersected in Munich, the main market of the city was founded.
In 1315, by decree of Duke Ludwig of Bavaria, it was officially allowed to hold city markets in the city, and it was also forbidden to build any wooden buildings on the square. The market, which was founded on this square, survived more than one century, and traded here mostly in grain or salt. Due to the fact that grain was sold here, the area was called "Schrannenplatz", which means "grain area" in translation.

The name "Marienplatz" was given to the square only in 1854, and it was named after the Virgin Mary, who is considered the patron saint of the city. This square also houses the Thanksgiving Column of Mary, which has stood in the heart of the square since 1638.
In 1632, the city of Munich was captured by the Swedes. So that the city would not be destroyed and burned, Elector Maximilian took an oath that he would erect a column representing the Virgin Mary in the center of the square. After the end of Swedish rule in the city in 1635, the process of building the column began. November 8, 1638, the column was consecrated.
For many centuries, the most important events in the history of Munich took place on this square. Here such events took place as: jousting tournaments, various celebrations and celebrations, as well as executions of criminals.
To date, the Marienplatz is no less successful. It hosts the main carnivals of the city, and here the fans of the local team celebrate the football successes of their favorites.

Architecture

On the Marienplatz square in Munich there is a column, which is a statue that stands on a marble pedestal and reaches a height of 11 meters. The statue was created by the famous craftsman and sculptor Hubert Gerhardt. At the foot of the statue, four angelic heroes were erected, who are dressed in armor, have protective helmets on their heads, and they are armed with swords and arrows. On the front of the column were carved words in Latin, which in translation mean "Take, holy Mary, your Bavaria, its goodness, its ruler, government, land and faith."

One of the most famous and significant buildings located on Marienplatz is the New Town Hall. This building was built in three stages, and the initiator of the construction of the town hall was King Ludwig the First. The construction of the town hall began in 1867 and ended in 1909. The town hall is a building in the neo-Gothic style, and such a famous master as Georg Hauberiseer was engaged in its construction. In order to build the town hall, an order was given to demolish 24 houses. The main features of the town hall are the clock and the tower, reaching a height of 85 meters.

Note to the tourist

Today, many tourists upon arrival in Munich first of all go to Marienplatz. To look at the city from a height, you can climb to the very top of the tower on the town hall. Today, the tower is equipped with a modern elevator, and from its height offers stunning views of almost the entire city.

Marienplatz (Munich, Germany) - description, history, location, reviews, photo and video.

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It is worth starting your acquaintance with Munich from the central square of Mary's Square, or Marienplatz (Marienplatz). This is the heart of Munich, its liveliest part, which is decorated with an elegant column of the Virgin Mary, a sophisticated New and luxurious Old Town Hall. The square pleases the eye with houses representing different eras, funny fountains, restaurants and cafes. Here you can enjoy the taste of Bavarian beer and eat delicious sausages, ride a cycle rickshaw or listen to the bell ringing of the famous New Town Hall clock.

Marienplatz is the heart of Munich.

Coming to Marienplatz in the first place, most likely, you will pay attention to the Old Town Hall - a Gothic building located near a tower with a spire, which previously served as a city gate. Not to be confused with the New Town Hall opposite, which impresses with its flamboyant Gothic appearance. Even the Old Town Hall, with its strict outlines, seems to be a more modern building against its background. This impression is deceptive - the construction of the New Town Hall was completed only a century ago, so this is an example of pseudo-Gothic.

In the Old Town Hall of Marienplatz there is a toy museum, and next to it is a sculpture of Juliet, donated to Munich, of course, by Verona.

The facade of the town hall is decorated with clocks - at 11 o'clock, at noon and at 17 o'clock in the evening figures of knights move in the clock. They are reminiscent of the fact that once this square was the place where knightly tournaments were held. Then it was still called Schrannenplatz. So, for example, the figures of the upper tier recreate a real tournament that took place in 1568 in honor of the wedding of William V, then still the future duke. The figures moving along the lower tier illustrate the dance of the coopers on the occasion of the end of the plague epidemic.

Walking along the square, be sure to stop by for dinner at a wonderful Bavarian restaurant located in the courtyard of the New Town Hall.

In the middle of the square stands the Column of Mary, erected in 1638. The columns installed on the pedestal are depicted as children's figures - hostages of the four main misfortunes of those times, such as War, Heresy, Famine and Plague. Near this column, street concerts are often held, rallies are held, and on its steps, the next victories in matches are celebrated by the fans of the Bayern team. Here, on the square, a traditional Christmas market is held annually.

Marienplatz

Shopping at Marienplatz

Like magnets, the Kaufhof Gallery and the Ludwik Beck store attract shoppers. Kaufhof is located in the direction of Stachus, it is a kind of vast Gostiny Dvor, where you can find almost everything you want. And the Ludwik Beck store, located near the Old Town Hall, presents a variety of multimedia products. This real paradise for music lovers.

The metro station called "Marienplatz" deserves special attention of tourists - several floors with trains, many exits, shops and cafeterias will take your time for a long time.

Underground Marienplatz

The metro station called "Marienplatz" deserves special attention of tourists - several floors with trains, many exits, shops and cafeterias, stalls, bookshops, souvenir shops and travel agencies will take your time for a long time. This is a kind of separate world, huge, in which it is easy to get lost. The number of exits from the underground part of Marienplatz can easily overwhelm you, so don't hesitate to ask tourists for help.

However, you will not be bored on the square itself - there are a large number of souvenir shops, flower shops, restaurants and cafes, and the public is entertained by various living statues and street actors. Do not be surprised that the flow of tourists and citizens on Marienplatz almost never dries up.

In previous reviews, I told you about the general impression of walking around the city and about one of its most important attractions - Fraunkirche. Concluding my story about Munich and impressions of the city, I want to dwell on perhaps the most famous place in the city - Marienplatz.

So, we will talk about one of the most famous and beautiful squares not only in Germany, but throughout Europe. In almost every European city, its central square is also the main attraction, especially if it is a city that traces its history back to the Middle Ages. Munich is one of the oldest cities in Germany. Its history begins in the 8th century, when monks began to settle here, on the banks of the Isar River. In memory of the fact that the city arose precisely thanks to them, the image of the monks in the city is present almost everywhere.

But back to the story about the square. The first written mention of Munich as a city of commercial importance dates back to the middle of the 12th century. And even then, at this place, where Marienplatz is located, important trade routes intersected, which is why here, in fact, a center of trade arose.
During its history, the square changed its name several times. At first it was called simply - Markplatz, which translates as "market square". A brisk trade was conducted here, and they traded everything that was produced and mined in the district: grain, meat, cheeses, milk, fish. In memory of this trade, there is still a "fish fountain" on the square - "Fischbrunnen", where fish merchants used to store their perishable goods, and butcher's apprentices, they went through a kind of initiation ceremony - they dived into the fountain with their heads.

Then the area began to be called Schrannenplatz, which can be translated as “grain market”, since mainly grain began to be sold here, but by the way, not only trade was conducted here. As in many main squares of large trading cities, knightly tournaments were held here in the Middle Ages, performances, booths were arranged.

The square got its modern name thanks to the column with the statue of the Virgin Mary installed in the center. The statue was installed here in the middle of the 17th century. According to legend, the ruler of Bavaria, Maximilian I, took a vow that if the city did not suffer during the then war with Sweden, he would definitely build something grandiose here. Despite the fact that the enemy army nevertheless entered the city, the city escaped destruction. The inhabitants of the city called it the "Munich miracle", believing that the city was protected by its patroness - the Virgin Mary. Today, a column 11 meters high rises right in the center of the square. it is noteworthy that against its background one can see the domes of the main cathedral, also dedicated to the Heavenly Intercessor - Frauenkirche.

On the pedestal of the column there are allegorical statues of angels slaying four monsters: a lion, a dragon, a viper and a basilisk, which symbolized famine, war, plague and godlessness (heresy). The author of this allegorical composition is the sculptor Heins Reichle.

As in any medieval city square, there is a town hall here, not even one, but two: the old and the new. One of them occupies a central place in the square, the other (if you stand facing the first one) - on the right hand of it. If you don't already know, the one that looks newer is the old town hall, and the one that looks older is the new one.

The building of the old town hall in the form in which it appears to the eyes of tourists now was built in the second half of the 15th century. Before that, there was another building, destroyed by lightning. It was supposedly built in the 12th century, but its description has not been preserved. In the 15th century, a new building for the city council was erected according to the project of the architect Jörg von Halsbach (J?rg von Halsbach), who had the nickname Ganghofer. By the way, Ganghofer is a very significant person for Munich. It was he who erected the Frauenkirche, for which, as one of the legends says, he even entered into an agreement with the devil. During the Second World War, the building of the Old Town Hall was badly damaged, however, the city council had long since moved to the New Town Hall, but it was decided to restore the architectural monument. That's why it looks so new.

Today, the toy museum is located here, where the richest collection is presented, including unique old toys, preserved in one copy. There is an arched passage in the building, where the bicycle parking is now, but I noticed an interesting figure located on the wall. It turned out to be a figurine of a dancer - an exact copy of one of the sixteen famous figurines of dancers - Moriscos. These figures were created to decorate the dance hall of the town hall by Erasmus Grasser, who was invited from Italy, and are the same age as the Old Town Hall. Six of the sixteen figurines (beauty, jester and musicians) were lost in different years, the remaining ones are currently in the Stadtmuseum Munich.

And in the arch of the Old Town Hall, as a reminder, there is a copy. The peculiarity of these figurines was not only in the exceptional plasticity of the lines, but also in the fact that they could be looked at from all sides, and before that the statues were installed near the walls, so the back side was usually not worked out by the master.

And now let's move on to the most important of the main attractions of Munich - the New Town Hall. Her appearance is probably familiar even to those who have not been to Munich. On numerous postcards, business cards, guidebooks, it is she who is depicted as the main symbol of the city. And it is well known to the fans of Bayern Munich, because it is on its balconies that the team appears before numerous fans in case of victory in the Bundesliga. Looking at this building, it is hard to believe that it is only a little over a hundred years old. Intricate and varied decor elements, pointed turrets and arches, an abundance of statues remind of the Gothic style. In fact, this style is called Neo-Gothic.

The building of the town hall is notable not only for its external appearance and impressive size (the facade alone stretched for a hundred meters), but also for the puppet clock. Every day at 11 o'clock the bell rings and the performance begins: the ducal wedding, the knightly tournament, the coopers' dance in honor of the end of the plague. This daily performance lasts 15 minutes, 32 puppet "actors" take part in it, and many tourists gather here by the time of the performance.

The town hall building itself is very large, there are a considerable number of halls, there are shops on the ground floor, there are also courtyards, I invite you to one of them. We go in: on the left we see the ticket office and the elevator, on which you can go up to the observation tower (we were in the evening, so the entrance there was already closed), on the right - the entrance to a small chapel, which was also already closed.

We were not very lucky in Munich in the sense that both Frauenkirche and Marienplatz were being renovated. The entire area was blocked by building structures, equipment, but this did not prevent us from getting a holistic view of it. There were no less tourists here because of this, all the places in the street cafes were occupied. Musicians played, there was a brisk trade, life was still in full swing.

In addition to historical buildings, there are a large number of shops and shops on the square. I especially want to draw your attention to the store, painted with red geometric shapes. This is the Ludwig Beck store, where you can buy quite unusual things for aesthetes and non-formals - clothes, rare records and modern discs, musical instruments, etc.
From the square, as they say, within walking distance, there are other main sights of the city: if you face the town hall, then on the right hand in a couple of blocks there will be Frauenkirche, behind the town hall in a few blocks - Odeonplatz, behind - the oldest church in the city, the Church of St. Peter . From Marienplatz by metro (there is also an underground Marienplatz) you can get to almost any part of the city.
I would not advise buying souvenirs, magnets and other trifles here, because after walking just a few blocks in any direction, all this can be bought much cheaper.

Marienplatz, the square of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the central square of the capital of Bavaria, in southern Germany. Immediately after the founding of Munich by Duke Henry the Lion (Heinrich der Löwe) in 1158, the square became the main point of the city, at which the road crossed from east to west, from the Isar gate (Isartor) to Charles Gate (Karlstor) and the north-south direction from the gate Schwabing to Sendlinger Gate.

Marienplatz can be called the heart of Munich. Both historical and modern sights of the Bavarian capital are concentrated here.The square is crowded at any time of the year - the townspeople celebrate holidays here and simply make appointments, and the flow of tourists never dries up.

Since 1315, when Kaiser Ludwig granted Munich freedom of market trade, various markets were located on the current Marienplatz: egg, fish, wine, grain, so for a long time Marienplatz was simply called "Market" or "Square". And on the site where the Fischbrunnen fountain is located today, there was actually a fish market. A non-standard belief is connected with this fountain. If you want to have money, wash your wallet in the Fish Fountain).

The Marienplatz was both the site of jousting tournaments and the site of public executions. Since 1566, the houses of regional representatives under the Duke of Bavaria were built on Marienplatz, which gave the square political significance.

And after the establishment here in 1638 by Elector Maximilian I of the column of the Virgin Mary (Mariensaule), as a gratitude to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her intercession during the Swedish siege of the city during the Thirty Years' War, the square received a special religious significance.

But the square continued to bear the name Market. And only in 1854 the city parliament will transfer the grain market to another place, and the square will be given the official name Marienplatz. With this gesture, the Munich parliamentarians wanted to achieve the favor of the patron saint of the city from the terrible cholera epidemic that was approaching the country. Since then, the square has been called by its current name - Marienplatz.

And the column of the Virgin Mary is today the main attraction of the square. On a high marble column is a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, supposedly made by the sculptor Hubert Gerhardt for the gravestone of Elector William V, father of Maximilian I. The gilded statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary is made of bronze in the so-called Maria Loreto style, with the baby Jesus, sitting on her left hand, in the radiance of the moon, with a crown on her head and a scepter in her right hand.

In 1639, four bronze figures were made on the pedestal of the column, illustrating 91 psalms, they symbolically represent the four punishments of mankind. The lion symbolizes war, the lizard the plague, the dragon symbolizes famine, and the snake symbolizes unbelief.

The column of the Virgin Mary has always been considered not only the center of the city - the numbering of houses on the houses emanating from the square began from it, but also the "zero kilometer" of the whole of Bavaria. And since the 19th century, the distances to the largest cities of the world have been marked on the column.

Interesting historical buildings have been preserved on the Marienplatz square. The building was first mentioned in documents in 1310. Until 1874, the city parliament met here. Today, official events are held in the Old Town Hall. Here, in the tower of the town hall is located. The museum presents a collection of historical toys - from models railways to tin soldiers, teddy bears, dolls and dollhouses.

The next major changes in the appearance of the square were made by the construction of the New Town Hall building in 1906. For the erection of a monumental building, 22 burgher houses had to be sacrificed. The elegant building with intricate gothic curlicues is actually the fruit of a fashionable neo-gothic style by architect Georg von Hauberrisser of the early 20th century.

A unique decoration of the New Town Hall is a clock with 43 bells and moving figures. The figures on the upper level reproduce the scene of the wedding of Elector William V and Renata of Lorraine in 1568, the parents of the future ruler of Bavaria, Maximilian I, who installed the Column of the Virgin Mary on the square. The townspeople remember that wedding very much. Not only with its scope with rich decorations and dishes. At the knightly tournament dedicated to the celebration, then the Bavarians won. To this day, another Bavarian knight three times a day, with all the honest people, again knocks out the Lorraine from the saddle.

On the second level, there are dancing figures of cheflers, barrel makers. This is a reminder of another historical event - the inhabitants of the city defeated the plague epidemic, and now you can celebrate and rejoice again.

At nine o'clock in the evening - a new performance - it's time for the Munich children to sleep, accompanied by a night guard and an angel, the child goes to bed. In addition to the literal meaning here and a hint of the Münchener Kindl, a child in monastic clothes is depicted on the coat of arms of Munich. So the whole city goes to sleep.

The bells on the tower of the New Town Hall play the music of Wagner and Brahms during the performance.

Video: The game of bells on the building of the New Town Hall of Munich

Peterskirche (Pfarrkirche Sankt Peter) is the oldest parish church in Munich. Perhaps that is why the bell tower of the church is popularly called Old Peter (Alter Peter). At the top of the bell tower, at a height of 56 meters, there is an observation deck. To climb it, you need to overcome 306 steps. Although the ascent to Stary Peter is not easy, but the efforts will be rewarded. From here you have a beautiful view not only of Marienplatz, but of the entire city.

After the destruction of the Second World War, the historical buildings of the southern part of Marienplatz were not restored, a modern shopping center grew in their place. Up until 1972, Marienplatz was heavily trafficked. And by the beginning of the Olympic Games in Munich, the square became pedestrian. The restoration of the tower of the Old Town Hall, originally built in 1462 and destroyed during World War II, was timed to coincide with the Olympic Games.

Under the entire Marienplatz on an area of 1700 sq. meters there is a new, opened in 2005, underground multi-level complex - Sperrengeshshoss (Sperrengeschoss) with metro stations (U-Bahn) and city trains (S-Bahn), shops and restaurants.

Observation deck

On Marienplatz, you can visit the observation deck of St. Peter's Church and the Toy Museum, located in the tower in the Old Town Hall.

Viewpoint of the Church of St. Peter (Stary Peter):

Adult - 3 euros,
children from 6 to 18 years old - 1 euro,
students (upon presentation of an international student card) - 1 euro,
children under 6 years old - free of charge.

Toy Museum in the Old Town Hall:

adult 4 euros,
children 1 euro,
family ticket - 8 euros.

Attraction opening hours

In order not to miss the famous performance that takes place daily on the tower of the New Town Hall - the striking of the clock, the play of bells and the figures moving on two floors - pay attention to the mode of its operation.

The game of bells on the clock of the New Town Hall:

Daily at 11 and 12 o'clock,
from March to October - additionally at 17:00,
at 9 pm the Münchener Kindl goes to bed.

Viewpoint of St. Peter's Church

Summer time:

from Monday to Friday - from 9.00. until 18.30,
weekends and holidays - from 10.00. until 18.30,
The site closes at 19:00.

Winter time:

from Monday to Friday - from 9.00. until 17.30,
weekends and holidays - from 10.00. until 17.30,
Closing is at 18:00.

Toy Museum in the Old Town Hall

open daily from 10.00. until 17.30.

How to get to Marienplatz

Marienplatz is located in the very center of Munich. It is easy to get here from anywhere in the city.

By public transport

All types public transport reach Marienplatz.

By underground (U-Bahn): Lines U3, U6 to the stop Marienplatz
City train: Es-Bann (S-Bahn) Lines S1, S2, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8 to the stop Marienplatz
Bus: Lines 52, 132 to the Rindermarkt stop.
Tram: Line 19 to Theatinerstrasse stop.

Metro and S-Bahn stations are located on underground floors directly below Marienplatz.

From the tram stop, you will need to walk along the Weinstrasse to Marienplatz in a few minutes. From the bus stop - a few minutes along the Rindermarkt.